Remember God as He has Guided you

Remember God as He has Guided you

Surah ‘Al-Baqarah (The Cow) – Chapter – 2)

Stage – 1, Verse – 198b of 286, Section – 25 of 40 (Part - 2)

BisMIllaahir-Rahmaanir-Rahiim

In the name of God, the Beneficent, the Merciful

But when ye return from ‘Arafat, remember Allah by the Sacred Monument.

Fa-‘izaaa  ‘afaztum min ‘Arafaatin  fazkurUllaaha   ‘in-dal-  Mash-‘aril-Haraam.

Lesson

‘Afaztum – (you return) this word has come out from the word ‘Afaazah which means ‘Walking in multitudes and coming back’. Technically it signifies “returning from ‘Arafat to Muzdalfah”.

 

‘Arafaatin – (‘Arafat) the road which leads to the east from Makkah  towards Taif, there is a plain field in the area of several miles situated twelve miles from Makkah Mo-‘azmah. That is called ‘Arafat. There is a hill in this plain also, which is called ‘Arafat too. Its height is two hundred yards from the earth level. During the entire year this field remains vacant but on the ninth Zul-Hijjah it becomes in full bloom on arrival of the Pilgrims.

The Pilgrims reach Minaa till afternoon on eighth of the Zul-Hijjah and on the next day, on ninth Zul-Hijjah at the time of rising the sun, they travel towards ‘Arafat, they reach ‘Arafat at the time of afternoon. Till the time of Asar (before sunset) the Pilgrims have to remain there. This stay is called Wuquuf. The presence in this plain is the most important duty of the Pilgrimage. The entire period should be passed in begging mercy or grace, repentance, penitence and remembrance of God Almighty during the stay in the Field of ‘Arafat. While the sun is near to set, then the Pilgrims should depart unto Muzdalfah (the Sacred Monument). Zuhr and 'Asr prayers are offered in the afternoon jointly in the Nimrah Masjid of ‘Arafat on that day, and Maghrib and ‘Ishaa’ are offered after returning to Muzdalfah at the time of ‘Ishaa’.

‘Al- Mash-‘aril-Haraam – (the Sacred Monument) Mash-‘ar

means the sign or emblem and the word Haraam discloses its dignity. It is that particular place which is situated between the two hills of Muzdalfah. However, the entire Muzdalfah is called “the Sacred Monument” (Mash-‘aril-Haraam).

Muzdalfah – It is at the distance of six miles from Makkah. There exists a direct pathway from Minaaa to ‘Arafat and the Pilgrims proceed to ‘Arafat from that way on ninth Zul-Hijjah. But on return from ‘Arafat it is prescribed to use the other pathway. The Muzdalfah is situated on that pathway. The Caravans of the Pilgrims stay here at night and pass their entire time in the Masjid over the hill, offering prayers, worshiping, begging for mercy, repentance, penitence and remembrance of God Almighty.

There are three Duties to be observed compulsorily of the entire acts of Pilgrimage:

1.             Wearing ‘Ihraam (Garment of Hajj)

2.           To be present in ‘Arafat on ninth Zul-Hijjah which is called Wuquuf also.

3.           Going round the Holy Shrine (Tawaaf of The Square Building) – it is the most important action from the three acts. It has been told in this verse that when you return from ‘Arafat, Remember Allah Almighty during the stay at Muzdalfah begging mercy, repentance and remain busy in worshiping God Almighty.   

Remember Him as He hath guided you, although before ye were of those astray.

Waz-kuruuhu  kamaa hadaakum.  Wa  ‘in- kuntum-min- qablihii la-minaz-zaalliin.

Lesson

‘Az-zaalliin – (the Ignorant) this word is plural of Zaal which commonly means “the astray people”. But it is used for the indolent; careless and negligent also.

Zikr means remembrance, recitation, memory; prayer; talk and mention. Here it means the worship of Allah Almighty.

It has been told in this verse: Remember and worship God Almighty in the manners which have been commanded by His Last Messenger Muhammad (grace, glory, blessings and peace be upon Him). It is the most serious sin “to invent the methods of worship at one’s own and to establish the new forms ignoring the Sayings of the Prophet” (grace, glory, blessings and peace be upon Him). It remained heavy attack of Satan to mislead the world and the people of the world that he puts them into disorder from the Straight Path to self-invented ways. The people were involved in uncountable customs, traditions and false beliefs during the period of the Ignorance too. They used to suppose that their self-invented particular methods may be the cause of closeness to God Almighty. But this verse of Holy Qur’an has refuted completely these depravities and misunderstandings.

Holy Qur’an has cleared by using the word ‘Az-zaalliin that till the time; the mankind will not get guidance from the Light; sent by Allah Almighty, make not His Revelation one’s own torch of the path and doesn’t settle His revealed Teachings as the foundation of one’s own actions, he will remain ignorant and astray. Whether he tries to seek any path with his full endeavor, invents many ways of worship of various sort, thinks the forms of the prayers, but all these things will bring him unto straying. The real method is only one, which is commanded by God Almighty. So, every self-made plan by any individual’s will is false and acting upon it will bring towards the deviation.

Holy Qur’an is the best Guide to reach the destination. The Words mentioned in This Holy Book are commanded by God Almighty Who is the Wise, the Discerning, the Present, the Inspector, the Mild, the Philosopher, the Creator and the Lord Almighty. He knows well our necessities, for it; He shows us the Pathway with His Vast knowledge, which is Easy and Straight. We should believe in that Path as reliable; and leave all other manners invented by the human beings.  

Transliterated Holy Qur’an in Roman Script & Translated from Arabic to English by Marmaduke Pickthall, Published by Paak Company, 17-Urdu Bazaar, Lahore, Lesson collected from Dars e Qur’aan published By Idara Islaah wa Tableegh, Lahore (translated Urdu to English by Muhammad Sharif)